Chapter 1: People & Government

1. Chapter 1: People & Government Section 1: Principles of Government • Aristotle is often considered the first student of political science for asking two key questions regarding government: • What is the proper function of government? • Where or why did government originate? • The State: a political community that occupies a definite territory & has an organized govt. with the power to make and enforce laws without any higher authority. Examples? • A nation: any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, & sometimes religion. Examples? Aristotle Ἀριστοτέλης

2. Essential Features of a State • Population • Territory • Sovereignty • Government Theories of the Origin of the State • Evolutionary Theory: “Father Abraham” • Force Theory: “might makes right” • Divine Right Theory: “l’ etat ce moi.” • Social Contract Theory: philosophical approach pioneered by Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan & John Locke in Two Treatises in Government.

3. Section 2: The Formation of Government • Government Systems Unitary system: gives all key powers to the national or central government. Exp: France Federal System: divides powers of government between national & state or provincial governments. Exp: U.S.A. Confederacy: loose union of independent states. Exp: United Arab Emirates

4. Section 2: The Formation of Government • Constitutions & Government • Constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. 1. sets ideals that people are bound by the constitution believe in and share. 2. establishes basic structure of government & defines government’s powers & duties 3. provides supreme law for a country Constitutional government: a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern.

5. Section 3: Types of Governments • WHO GOVERNS? • Autocracy: single ruler (power by force or inheritance) • Absolute/totalitarian dictatorship: tries to control all aspects of life (Hitler’s Germany) • Monarchy: inherited power (kings and queens) • Oligarchy: small group (power by wealth, force, social position, religion) • Communist countries (China, North Korea) • Democracy: the people • Direct: people actually vote on issues • Representative: people elect reps to decide issues

6. Section 4: Economic Theories What is the basic role of an economic system? • 3 basic questions: • What and how much should be produced? • How should goods and services be produced? • Who gets the goods and services that are produced?

7. Explain the origin and function of capitalism • Origin • Developed over time in Europe • Trade routes opened to Asia in 1200s • People invested money to make profits--became the wealthy middle class • Belief in free market (buyers/sellers free to make economic decisions in the marketplace) • Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776) • Laissez-faire: gov’t should keep its hands off the economy

8. Explain the origin and function of capitalism • Function • Answer to 3 basic questions? • The market/supply and demand • Characteristics • Private ownership/control of property • Free enterprise • Competition among businesses • Freedom of choice • Possibility of profits

9. How does capitalism work in the U.S.? • Free Enterprise in the U.S. • No market is truly free • Gov’t regulates trade, owns property, runs services, etc. • Governmental Influence • US gov’t is #1 consumer • Gov’t regulates product safety, working conditions, environmental issues, banking, etc. • Gov’t provides social services • Mixed-Market Economy • Economy in which free enterprise is combined w/ and supported by gov’t decisions in the marketplace • Capitalism is viewed as central to democracy

10. Explain the origin and function of socialism • 1800s: industrialization in Europe accented differences between rich and poor • Answer to 3 basic questions? • Government controls basic means of production while allowing some elements of free market • Main goals of socialism • Equal distribution of wealth and economic opportunity • Society’s control of major production decisions • Public ownership of land, factories, etc. • Democratic Socialism: people have rights and control of gov’t--gov’t controls economy (GB)

11. Explain the origin and function of communism • Origin • Karl Marx: German socialist revolutionary • The Communist Manifesto & Das Kapital • Capitalists/bourgeoisie/owners “enslave” workers/proletariat • Owners and workers in constant struggle--fewer and fewer people own wealth--violent uprising of workers leads to revolution and socialism • Eventually communism (one class, property held in common, no government) • “The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. Working men of all countries unite!”

12. Explain the origin and function of communism • Function • Answer to 3 basic questions? • Gov’t makes all decisions (command economy) • Government making all decisions about money means government basically makes all decisions • Inherently un-democratic • No successful communist countries--typically corruption prevents a decent standard of living